Jimena Keeps Distance, Weakens

By: Jamilia Epping

Hurricane Jimena slightly weakened overnight and has dropped down to Category 2 hurricane status, as of 5 a.m. The storm was holding maximum sustained winds of 115 miles per hour at 11 p.m. Tuesday, but was reportedly holding wind speeds of 110 mph Wednesday morning. The storm remains far east-southeast of the state.

The Central Pacific Hurricane Center noted that as of 5 a.m., Hurricane Jimena was about 815 miles east-southeast of Hilo, traveling at a rate of about eight miles per hour in a west-northwest direction.

Forecasts predict that Hurricane Jimena will gradually turn towards the northwest at a slower forward speed later Wednesday and into the night. The motion is expected to continue through Thursday night.

Weakening is also expected to gradually take place through Thursday night.

Large swells are expected to hang around through the weekend, causing the potential for hazardous surf conditions along east facing shores. Surf is forecast to build Wednesday and continue through the weekend.